Cambridge, Mass. – Senior Olivia Burne team has been named America East Scholar-Athlete in women’s cross country, conference officials announced Thursday. The nod is the second straight for Burne and sixth in a row for the Stony Brook women’s cross country team.

The Palmerston, New Zealand native holds a 3.84 grade-point average (GPA) in journalism and has been named America East All-Academic in all three seasons in which she has been eligible. She is a six-time Commissioner’s Honor Roll choice and has made Dean’s List in six of seven semesters.

Burne became the sixth Seawolf to win an individual America East women's cross country crown at the conference championship meet hosted by Binghamton Saturday, Nov. 2 when she finished in a course-record time of 17:30.14. At the NCAA Regional Championship, she placed 15th in 20:41.80, her best 6k time of the season, and garnered All-Region status for the second consecutive year.

Burne is the second Seawolf to be tabbed America East Scholar-Athlete in back-to-back seasons. Former standout Holly Van Dalen took the honor in 2008 and 2009.

Scholar-Athletes are members of teams in the six America East-sponsored championship sports for the fall season including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and volleyball. A committee of athletic administrators and NCAA Faculty Athletics Representatives selects an honoree for each sport based on their performances on the field and in the classroom. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA and be a starter or prominent reserve.